Bernstein Shur has announced changes to its Board of Directors, including a new Chair and the election of a new member from its Manchester, New Hampshire office. These changes come as the firm continues to grow its footprint across New England and beyond.
Shareholder Kate Knox was elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors. She assumes the role after 12 years of service on the Board and a distinguished 21-year career at the firm, where she is Co-Chair of the Government and Public Affairs practice. Recognized as one of Maine’s leading lobbyists and election law attorneys, Kate has been instrumental in shaping some of the state’s most significant legislation. A perennial Best Lawyers honoree since 2010 and a three-time The Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Government Relations, Kate brings to the Chair role the same tenacity, strategic instincts, and deep relationships she has built over more than two decades at the firm.
The firm also announced the election of Jim Kerouac to its Board of Directors. Jim is Co-Chair of the Real Estate practice group and is based in the firm’s Manchester office. Over the course of his career, he has advised businesses, developers, investors, and financial institutions on significant real estate and finance transactions throughout New England and across numerous jurisdictions nationwide. A Fellow of both the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Jim has also been ranked by Chambers USA in Real Estate for nine consecutive years and has earned multiple Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” distinctions in New Hampshire.
“Kate embodies the qualities we value most in a Bernstein Shur attorney—deep expertise, strong client relationships, and a genuine commitment to the firm and its work,” said Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus, CEO of Bernstein Shur. “I am also pleased to welcome Jim Kerouac to the Board. His co-leadership of our real estate practice and deep roots in New Hampshire bring valuable perspective as we continue to grow.”
With these changes, Shareholder Jim Merrill concludes an impactful three-year term on the Board. During his tenure, Jim helped guide the firm through a CEO transition and the planning for and launch of a five-year strategic plan to sharpen the firm’s direction and accelerate its growth. As Managing Shareholder in the Manchester office, Jim continues to provide steadfast leadership while expanding the firm’s reach in New Hampshire and surrounding states.
With new leadership in place, Bernstein Shur is well positioned to build on recent momentum and carry the firm into its next era of growth. Working alongside Kaveri, the Board is focused on deepening the firm’s talent, broadening its client work, and building on a reputation that reaches well beyond its New England roots.
About Bernstein Shur
Founded in 1915, Bernstein Shur is a New England-based law firm that advises clients across the U.S. and around the world. Our 100+ award-winning attorneys and professionals practice in more than 20 critical areas and a variety of industries. We believe in diversity, respect, and collegiality and maintain a deep commitment to serve the communities in which we live and work. While we’re proud of our roots, accolades, and wide-ranging expertise, it’s not only our substance that sets us apart; it’s also our approach. We relish simplifying the complex. We believe that sophisticated doesn’t have to mean stuffy, and we’re not just accessible—we’re approachable. We fight hard for our clients, but calm persistence and collaboration are often our weapons of choice. Most importantly, we believe that being mindful of our clients’ bottom lines is ultimately better for our own. Over the past century, these values have become the essence of Bernstein Shur. And they produce better results—and better experiences—for our clients.